Reflections of a non-Native School Leader Serving in a Predominately Native School
Reflections of a non-Native School Leader Serving in a Predominately Native School As I enter my twelfth year as an educational leader in Alaska, I find myself grappling with two conflicting thoughts: The desire to continue in a job I love, especially given Alaska’s challenges in retaining educators and school leaders. The recognition that the […]
Authentic Relationships Grounded in Cultural Humility
As a non-Native school leader who embraces the idea of Native Peoples’ Educational Sovereignty, I ensure some principles are foundational to my leadership practices. For the next few weeks, I will share one of these principles. The first principle is Authentic Relationships: Relationships built on trust are critical to leading in Native communities. As the […]
Embracing Triumph Over Imposter…
May 27, 2024 Hello, dear readers! Today, I want to open up and share a deeply personal journey that has profoundly shaped my life. It’s a story of battling against imposter syndrome, defying societal expectations, and discovering the strength to rise above adversity. As an African American male who dropped out of high school, I […]
Reflections of A non-Native…
A Reflection on Leadership: Embracing the Right of Educational Sovereignty Leadership, while challenging, is also rewarding. For non-Native school leaders serving in predominately Native schools, those challenges and rewards are exemplified. As a non-Native school leader serving in Rural Alaska, I am acutely aware of the importance of my role and the impact I can […]
Building Bridges and Honoring…
Honoring Native cultures strengthens school-community relationships.
Understanding Context in School Leadership: A Necessity for Non-Native Leaders in Predominantly Native Educational Spaces
n the realm of education, particularly in predominantly Native schools, the concept of contexts is paramount. It refers to the circumstances, environment, and cultural dynamics that shape the experiences and interactions of individuals within that setting. For non-Native school leaders operating in these unique educational spaces, understanding context is not merely beneficial; it is essential […]
Embracing Culturally Affirming…
Culturally affirming leadership and culturally responsive leadership are both approaches that aim to promote inclusivity, equity, and empowerment within educational contexts. While they share similar goals, there are nuanced differences between the two. Culturally affirming leadership focuses on creating an environment where cultural identities, traditions, and histories are recognized, respected, and celebrated. Culturally affirming leaders […]
Leading with purpose:
Discussing Native education as a non-Native educator serving in predominantly Native schools without acknowledging our own outsider status is counterproductive. As non-Native leaders and educators, we often approach this work with good intentions but limited understanding. Some believe that learning about Native culture and history is enough. They attend a few workshops, read a book […]
Bearing Witness, Building Belonging:
Leaders can create inclusivity by understanding students’ diverse experiences. My Journey: Enrolling in Alaska’s Native Schools As a non-Native teacher and school leader, I was in the Alaska school system for more than a decade, teaching in rural schools across the state, where most of my students, colleagues, and community members were Alaska Native. […]